Marcos 'lifts' rice sacks in distribution program in Manila

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Thursday led the distribution of rice in the City of Manila as part of the government’s measures to ease the burden of the public amid the Middle East tension. 

During the distribution, Marcos personally handed the sacks of rice to beneficiaries. He even lifted the sack of rice, like a dumbbell. 

Recently, Marcos dismissed as fake news the rumors that he is severely ill as he jogged around the Palace compound with members of the media. 

''Sinong may sakit?" Marcos asked.

(Who's sick?)

The Biyayang Bigas Para Sa Maynila seeks to provide immediate food relief to families in the city amid ongoing economic pressures brought by the tension in the Middle East.

"Ang programang ito ay magbibigay nitong 10 kilo na bigas, anim na beses sa isang taon. At patuloy lang ating binibigay. Binigay na po natin sa ating mga local government para naman ay mabilis,'' Marcos said.

(This program will give 10 kilos of rice six times a year. We will continue to provide this. We already instructed the local government so the distribution will be faster.)

Marcos said this would also be implemented in other parts of the country.

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno and Vice Mayor Chi Atienza were also present during the event.

The program eases food costs for approximately 80,000 families in Manila, freeing up household income for other essential needs. 

It also provides sustained, six-month relief to transport and service sector workers who are most vulnerable to economic pressures.

The program has a fund worth P286,000,000, which was released by the Office of the President to the local government of Manila through the Financial Assistance to Local Government Units (FALGU) program.

The Department of Environment and Public Services (DEPS) handles storage and transportation of the rice stocks while the Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau (MTPB) leads the distribution to Tricycle Operators and Drivers' Association in the Philippines (TODA) and Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association (JODA) members. 

On the other hand, the Bureau of Permits (BOP) assists in the identification and distribution to service workers and other working-class beneficiaries —VAL, GMA News